Gemmell, David – Lion of Macedon 01

‘Why was there darkness? You said the sun was shining.’

‘I don’t know. But the dream disturbed me. I should have thought of you, for you are half Macedonian. You are the Lion of Macedon from my dream.’

He chuckled. ‘I am told Macedon has few lions,’ he said. ‘And it is not a country renowned for producing generals.’

‘You don’t believe in my dream?’

‘I believe we are destined to be together,’ he told her. ‘And I would defy an army for you.’

‘You already have.’

‘That wasn’t an army, that was a rabble. But I could bless them now for bringing us together.’

Leaning down, he kissed her – and his passion returned.

*

For five days the lovers met in secret, riding out into the hills high above the land. They saw only a few shepherd girls and spent their days wandering through the woods and making love in sheltered hollows.

For Parmenion it was a time of bliss beyond imagining. His bitterness fled from him and he revelled in the glory of the summer sun, the clear blue skies and the beauty of the land. The cruelties of his life seemed distant now, like the memory of winter snow. He could picture them, but could not feel the icy cold of their reality.

On the morning of the sixth day his world changed. He led the chestnut mare from her stall at the rear of the white-walled house and bridled her.

Xenophon walked to him, laying a hand on his arm. ‘Do not ride today,’ he said softly.

‘I need to feel the wind in my face. I will be back soon.’

‘I said no!’ Xenophon snapped. ‘And if you need reminding, the mare belongs to me.’

‘Then I shall walk!’ responded Parmenion, his face flushed with anger.

‘You fool! When will you start using your mind?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘You know exactly what I am saying. My servants know

where you are going. I know where you are going. Patroclian knows where you are going. You have conducted this affair with all the subtlety of a rutting bull.’

‘How dare you?’ stormed Parmenion. ‘You have spied on me.’

‘What need was there for spies? You took her to your room on the first day, and her cries echoed around the house. You meet her on hillsides and walk hand in hand, where you can be observed for miles. Patroclian would be within his rights to have you arrested and executed, but he is a man of honour and feels he owes you for your courage.’

‘I intend to marry her,’ declared Parmenion. ‘It is not as you think.

‘As I said, Parmenion, you are a fool! Now return the mare to her stall.’

‘Allow me to ride out to Derae. I need to talk to her,’ begged Parmenion.

‘She will not be there; she has been sent back to Sparta.’

Parmenion’s throat was dry, his belly knotted. ‘Sent back? I will go to see Patroclian.’

Xenophon swung and lashed his open palm across Parmenion’s face. The blow stung him and he staggered. ‘Maybe the doctor purged you of brains,’ hissed Xenophon. ‘Will you think, man? You have violated a virgin. What will you say to her father? I want to marry her ? What do you have to offer? What dowry do you bring? You are a penniless student without a landholding, or a farm. You have no income. All you have done is ruin the girl for anyone else.’

‘You make it sound vile,’ said Parmenion, ‘but it isn’t.’

‘You don’t understand, do you?’ said the general sadly. ‘You cannot see it. Derae is pledged to Nestus and they were to have been wed in the spring. When he hears of the shame to himself and his family – as he will, since you chose to act so openly – he will demand repayment of the dowry and, if he condemns Derae publicly, she will die.’

‘I will save her. She loves me, Xenophon. She is a gift from the gods to me; I know it. They will not let any harm come to her. Do not hate me for this!’

The Athenian laid his hands on Paimenion’s shoulders. ‘I do not hate you for it, my young friend. Your life has not been particularly blessed. But listen to me, and try to use that part of your mind which we have trained. Do not think of Derae. Pull your thoughts away from what you call love and think of life as it has to be lived. You have brought great shame to Patroclian and to his whole family. You have shamed me and you have shamed yourself. Love? Love is born of caring, of compassion, of understanding. Do not talk of love but speak openly and honestly of desire. You put Derae in a position of great danger – that is not the act of a lover. You have destroyed her reputation and blighted the name of a noble line. Tell me where love appears in this scene?’

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